A system that facilitates tracking of computer files that have been received from on-line information services, such as CompuServe. tracking is accomplished by adding a "handling list" to each file as an obscure part of its archive structure. The actual format and location of this list may vary, depending on whether the file is a picture, program system, or other type of file. Extraction and archive utilities maintain and update the list.
|
1. A method for tracking an information file through file transfers, comprising:
a) inserting a tracking tag into an unused portion of the information file, the tracking tag including data regarding the current possessor of the information file; b) adding data regarding a recipient and an information file transfer to the tracking tag; and c) transferring the information file to the recipient.
8. A system for tracking an information file, comprising:
a) logic adapted to insert a tracking tag into an unused portion of the information file, the tracking tag including data regarding a current possessor of the information file; b) logic disposed to add data regarding a recipient and an information file transfer to the tracking tag; and c) an output port disposed to transfer the information file to the recipient.
15. A system for transferring an information file from an originator to a recipient, comprising:
a) an input device for accepting the information file from the originator; b) logic disposed to insert a tracking tag into an unused portion of the information file, the tracking tag including data regarding a current possessor of the information file; c) logic adapted to add data regarding a recipient and an information file transfer to the tracking tag; and d) an output port disposed to transfer the information file to the recipient.
2. The method of
3. The method of
4. The method of
5. The method of
6. The method of
7. The method of
9. The system of
10. The system of
11. The system of
12. The system of
13. The system of
14. The system of
16. The system of
17. The system of
18. The system of
19. The system of
20. The system of
21. The system of
|
The present invention relates generally to systems for providing on-line interactive services. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for insuring that royalties are properly assessed on data retrieved from an interactive service.
Interactive services provide a wide variety of data and on-line information to individual subscribers. Many service providers, such as CompuServe, have for a long time made information available to users in a highly interactive fashion. Much of this information may be downloaded by the user for printing or for future use.
Such on-line service providers electronically "publish" information that is contained in literally hundreds of databases. In some cases, the owners of these databases have expended large amounts of money to develop the information and to provide it to subscribers in a user-friendly fashion. To compensate these database providers for the time, effort, and expense involved in establishing and maintaining the database, a per-use charge or royalty is charged to subscribers accessing the database.
Information made available by database providers can be technical information, music, graphical information, and a host of other types of information, all of which is easily stored in a database and accessed by users in an on-line fashion. These types of information also constitute copyrightable subject matter. Once accessed by legitimate users it is easily stored off-line--and copied.
It is unfortunate that in today's computer-permeated society, copyrighted information is often copied by individuals who have no intention of paying a royalty to the creator or provider of that information. This has an immediate detrimental impact on the database owner in that a royalty for use of the data is not collected. In a greater sense, such abuse and economic loss discourage developing business entities from entering the on-line service provider marketplace, thereby denying legitimate users access to information and squelching innovation.
Certain systems have been devised which address some of the issues noted above. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,294 to Abelow was issued for "Accessing, Assembling, and Using Bodies of Information." This invention comprises an interactive system with a built-in copyright accounting feature. However, the system does nothing to track unauthorized copying that occurs once the information is in the hands of a legitimate user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,696 to Keiser, II et al. describes a "Data Processing System and Method to Produce Softcopy Book Readers, Which are Limited to Reading Only Books Published by a Specific Publisher." This system is actually an access control system whereby only users having a certain "key" can have access to a particular book in softcopy form. Again, while this invention limits access to the data available on a system, it does nothing to track that data once the information is downloaded and copied.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,992 to Yurt et al. describes an "Audio and Video Transmission and Receiving System." This system is an interactive multi-media type information subscription service which provides both picture and sound transmission over communications channels. While this invention addresses the issue of multi-media transmission over a communications link, it does not provide a means for tracking that information in case it is illicitly copied.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,213 to Shear describes a "Database Usage Metering and Protection System and Method." This system addresses the issue of illegal copying of databases by encrypting databases stored on a mass storage device. As a user accesses information, it is decrypted and the access is recorded, with billing being accomplished based on an appropriate user fee. Again, this system limits access to the information but does nothing to determine whether that information is being subsequently copied by an unauthorized person. U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,594 to Shear and U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,508 to Shear also disclose systems for encrypting a database. However, nothing is done to track subsequent copying.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,087 to Taub et al. discloses an "Education Utility." This invention is a system for distributing educational information in digital form to schools via satellite to FM stations. The system also keeps track of usage to permit billing of royalty charges. Once again, however, no provision is made for tracking subsequent copying after an initial transmission.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,977 to Izumi et al. describes a "Cartridge Programming System and Method Using a Central and Local Program Library." This is a system for keeping account of the use of data to assure the payment of royalties. However, nothing is done to track data in the event it is illicitly copied.
While all of the above systems address the problem of charging a royalty or fee for downloaded copyrighted material, none of the systems attempts to solve the problem of subsequent, royalty-free copying. A system which could track subsequent copying would allow the collection of more royalty fees, deter future copyright infringement, and encourage innovation among current and potential database service providers.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system that tracks all downloading of information from a database service provider to a subscriber.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system that tags all downloaded files with an itinerary showing information regarding all previous file transfers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system that tags all files with file transfer itineraries that are transparent to forum subscribers.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a system that will allow the determination of the last authorized file transfer, so that unauthorized file copies may be traced to the first unauthorized file disseminator.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system that identifies the source of illicit copyrighted file dissemination so that royalties can be assessed.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of Ordinary skill in the art after inspection of the following description, drawings, and appended claims.
The present invention is particularly applicable to a "shareware" library system used by subscribers to download copies of computer files for initial trial. These downloaded copies are fully operational but are supposed to be "registered" with the author within a prescribed trial period. This registration functions as a license, and a small fee or royalty is usually charged. Further dissemination of the files is encouraged to proliferate the products and produce more registrations, and therefore more royalty payments. Historically, the shareware principle has been based on honesty, that is, there has been no way to police the registration and payment process, leaving it up to the subscriber to voluntarily comply. However, frequent violations of this registration policy occur. One difficulty with policing use of shareware files lies in the lack of any tracking capability associated with the process.
The system of the present invention provides several methods of tracking shareware or other downloaded files. In each of these files, an obscure space has been chosen to insert "tracking tags" (TRTs) which each contain a "tracking itinerary" (TRI). For instance, in a JPEG image file, the tracking tag may be inserted into an always skipped APP marker. GIF files might have an application extension that carries tracking history. The TRTs record pertinent information regarding the current file transfer. The TRI includes a history of transfers that have taken place on the file, leading from the current owner to the file originator.
This insertion of TRTs can be performed by the creator of the file (using a file generator program), by a program that the SYSOP (forum system operator) runs, or by the program the host uses to send the file to the recipient. Given the format of the TRT and the location in which it will be placed, any programmer of ordinary skill can easily develop a program that determines where and how to insert the TRT and build the TRI. To ensure authenticity of the TRI, it is encoded and a checksum or other verification string is appended using known methods. Another set of programs can be used to display the TRI when needed by a file supplier. This need will arise when an unauthorized copy of the file is discovered.
Because the TRI includes a history of all legitimate file transfers beginning with the file originator, the last TRT in the TRI will include all pertinent information regarding the last legitimate file transfer. If an unauthorized third party is later found in possession of a copy of the file, the TRI can be analyzed to determine the last authorized recipient of the file. This person will therefore also be the first unauthorized disseminator of the file. This person can then be assessed royalties for the unauthorized copying and dissemination of the copyrighted file.
FIG. 1 shows the route that a Graphics Interchange Format file might take from the time it is authored, through its submission to a library and its retrieval from that library, to its viewing by a client.
FIG. 2 shows the route that a collection of program components might take from the time it is authored, through its submission to a library and its retrieval from that library, to its use by a client.
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting the route of a file as it is passed from the originator to an on-line database subscriber. As an example, the originator will be a graphics file author generating a file in a graphics interchange format ("GIF"). It will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that any type of file that can be submitted to the on-line service and subsequently copied is suitable for use with the system of the present invention.
The graphics author 1 generates an image 3 and stores this image as a GIF file 2. The GIF file 2 is then submitted to a forum submission library 4. When the SYSOP 5 of that forum library processes the GIF file, a tagging application 6 is run. The tagging application 6 checks the file for a previous TRI 12, and if it exists, verifies the checksum. If the file 2 and its TRI 12 are still acceptable, the SYSOP 5 has the tagging application 6 add to a TRI 13 that contains TRTs for the submitter and for the forum, library, submission date, and file name. If a previous TRI 12 was not present, a new TRI 13 is created. The tagging application 6 may also encrypt the TRI 13 to make it unintelligible to unauthorized viewers. The resulting file 7 with new TRTs and an updated TRI 13 is next released back into the forum library 4 and is made available for downloads by consumers 8 such as subscribers to the system.
When a consumer 8 downloads the tagged file 7, the file transfer service 9 detects that the file is a GIF file with a TRI 13 and appends to the TRI 13 TRTs that contain the consumer's identity and download date. The file that the consumer receives 10 thus has a TRI 14 that contains previous tagging information and information relative to the current file transfer. This information may include any earlier TRI, the name or code for the current submitter, the forum, the submission date, the file name on the forum, the download consumer identification code, and the download date. Other information may also be included. The file transfer service may also encrypt the TRI 14. If the TRI 14 is encrypted, a different key may be used each time the file is downloaded to a different subscriber. When the consumer 8 displays the image 3 with a GIF viewer 11, the TRI 14 does not affect the operation of the GIF viewer 11 because the TRI 14 is in a field in the GIF file 10 that is not processed by GIF viewers 11. Thus, the consumer 8 is not aware of the TRI while viewing the image 3. The tagging process is thus completely transparent to the consumer 8.
If the consumer has a specialized viewer that displays special fields, the TRI 14 is not intelligible because it was encrypted by both the tagging application 6 and the file transfer service 9. Because the SYSOP retains the keys necessary to decrypt the TRI 14, the consumer has no means for reading it. Special viewers 15 that can decrypt and display the TRI 14 are provided to system personnel but these viewers cannot be used to modify the TRI due to the encryption requirements to do so. That is, they are "read only" viewers that are not equipped with the "write" portion of the decryption key.
A similar process is used for archive files. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a route of an archive file as it is passed from an originator to a program user. An archive file 18 is typically an assembly of multiple program components and data files 17 combined into a single entity for distribution as a unit. Many archive systems also compress each component included in the unit. Most archive systems provide a means of adding descriptions and/or comments to the unit, or to each component, in designated fields. One such field is used to store the TRI for the unit.
The author 26 (or distributor) of a product transfers the product into an archive file 18 for subsequent distribution. The author 26 runs an application that adds an annotation field 19 that includes pertinent tracking information in an encrypted format. This tracking information includes any earlier TRI, the name or code for the current submitter, the forum, the submission date, and the file name on the forum.
The result is a Signed Archive File 20, which may be provided to a subscriber bulletin board 21. Thus, when a program user 25 downloads the. file 20 from the bulletin board 21, all this information is incorporated in the file 22. When they extract the components 23 from the archive 22, the annotation is a separate part and is not extracted. Special viewers that can decrypt and display the TRI 24 are provided to system personnel but these viewers cannot modify the TRI 24 due to special encryption requirements to do so.
Once a legitimate subscriber has downloaded a file, any subsequent copying of that downloaded file will carry the TRI with it. Thus, if the last legitimate copier of the file makes another copy and disseminates it to a third party, the file in the possession of the third party will contain a TRT naming the last legitimate user. If the third party is caught with the file, that last valid user can be charged a royalty for dissemination of the file.
Preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention have now been described in detail. It is to be noted, however, that this description of these specific embodiments is merely illustrative of the principles underlying the inventive concept. It is therefore contemplated that various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, be apparent to persons skilled in the art.
Stuckey, Kent D., Roberts, Jon L., Chinnock, Douglas P.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10999233, | Dec 23 2008 | RCS IP, LLC | Scalable message fidelity |
11354018, | Mar 12 2019 | Bottomline Technologies, Inc. | Visualization of a machine learning confidence score |
11567630, | Mar 12 2019 | Bottomline Technologies, Inc. | Calibration of a machine learning confidence score |
5901224, | Oct 21 1996 | Xerox Corporation | Quasi-reprographics with variable embedded data with applications to copyright management, and distribution control |
6119163, | Jul 06 1998 | Two-Way Media Ltd | Multicasting method and apparatus |
6266654, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | Method for tracking software lineage |
6434622, | May 09 1996 | Two-Way Media Ltd | Multicasting method and apparatus |
6622128, | Jun 25 1999 | BOTTOMLINE TECHNLOGIES, INC | Internet-based attorney-client billing system |
6651056, | Mar 10 1999 | REFINITIV US ORGANIZATION LLC | Readership information delivery system for electronically distributed investment research |
6708157, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets |
6714921, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets |
6754642, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for dynamically assigning usage rights to digital works |
6824051, | Jun 07 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Protected content distribution system |
6859533, | Apr 06 1999 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | System and method for transferring the right to decode messages in a symmetric encoding scheme |
6865551, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Removable content repositories |
6876984, | May 31 2001 | CONTENGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for establishing usage rights for digital content to be created in the future |
6885748, | Oct 23 1999 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | System and method for protection of digital works |
6895392, | Nov 23 1994 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Usage rights grammar and digital works having usage rights created with the grammar |
6895503, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for hierarchical assignment of rights to documents and documents having such rights |
6898576, | Nov 23 1994 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for executing code in accordance with usage rights |
6910022, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Usage rights grammar and digital works having usage rights created with the grammar |
6912294, | Dec 29 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Multi-stage watermarking process and system |
6912652, | Nov 08 1996 | JBF PARTNERS, INC | Method and apparatus for imprinting ID information into a digital content and for reading out the same |
6920436, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Digital work structure |
6925448, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Usage rights grammar and digital works having usage rights created with the grammar |
6928419, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for repackaging portions of digital works as new digital works |
6931545, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc.; CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Systems and methods for integrity certification and verification of content consumption environments |
6934693, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works |
6937726, | Apr 06 1999 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | System and method for protecting data files by periodically refreshing a decryption key |
6944600, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets |
6957193, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Repository with security class and method for use thereof |
6957194, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method for printing digital works |
6963859, | Nov 23 1994 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Content rendering repository |
6973445, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Demarcated digital content and method for creating and processing demarcated digital works |
6976009, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for assigning consequential rights to documents and documents having such rights |
7024392, | Nov 23 1994 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method for controlling use of database content |
7028009, | Jan 17 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for distributing enforceable property rights |
7031471, | Feb 28 1997 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of rendered digital works through watermarking |
7043453, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and system for conducting transactions between repositories using a repository transaction protocol |
7058606, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method for loaning digital works |
7065505, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method for metering and pricing of digital works |
7065508, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for operating a licensing server |
7068787, | Oct 23 1998 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc.; Xerox Corporation | System and method for protection of digital works |
7073199, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc.; CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Document distribution management method and apparatus using a standard rendering engine and a method and apparatus for controlling a standard rendering engine |
7080153, | May 09 1996 | Two-Way Media Ltd | Multicasting method and apparatus |
7085741, | Jan 17 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for managing digital content usage rights |
7085743, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for creating and running protected information |
7089212, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for controlling access to protected information |
7092908, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for selling protected information in an oem context |
7113912, | Nov 23 1994 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Composite digital works having usage rights and method for creating the same |
7117180, | May 24 2005 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the use of digital works using removable content repositories |
7139736, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Content rendering repository |
7152046, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for tracking status of resource in a system for managing use of the resources |
7158954, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for processing protected video information |
7162633, | May 31 2001 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for hierarchical assignment of rights to documents and documents having such rights |
7184571, | Dec 29 2000 | CONTENTGAURD HOLDINGS, INC. | Multi-stage watermarking process and system |
7200574, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use digital works using digital tickets |
7200747, | Oct 31 2001 | Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP | System for ensuring data privacy and user differentiation in a distributed file system |
7206749, | May 18 2000 | CAVIUM INTERNATIONAL; Marvell Asia Pte Ltd | Method and system for selling content |
7206765, | Jan 17 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | System and method for supplying and managing usage rights based on rules |
7206941, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for validating security components through a request for content |
7209901, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | Method for selling, protecting, and redistributing digital goods |
7209902, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Repository with security class and method for use thereof |
7216178, | Apr 04 2003 | WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT | System and method for distributing music to customers over the internet using uniquely identified proprietary devices |
7222104, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for transferring usage rights and digital work having transferrable usage rights |
7222183, | Apr 04 2003 | WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT | Authorized units music distribution system |
7225160, | Nov 23 1994 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Digital works having usage rights and method for creating the same |
7237125, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for automatically deploying security components in a content distribution system |
7249103, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings, Inc. | System and method for selectively enabling access based on lineage analysis of digital information |
7249147, | Apr 04 2003 | WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT | Combination compact disc recorder and player system |
7260556, | Nov 23 1994 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Content rendering device with usage rights |
7266529, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for executing code in accordance with usage rights |
7266686, | May 09 1996 | Two-Way Media Ltd | Multicasting method and apparatus |
7269576, | Nov 23 1994 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Content rendering apparatus |
7269577, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets |
7269735, | Aug 28 2000 | CONTENTGAURD HOLDINGS, INC. | Instance specific digital watermarks |
7286665, | Apr 06 1999 | Xerox Corporation | System and method for transferring the right to decode messages |
7319988, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for processing protected audio information |
7343324, | Nov 03 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings Inc. | Method, system, and computer readable medium for automatically publishing content |
7353205, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | Method for causing a digital product to revert to a demo mode |
7353207, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | Method of altering a software product in response to predetermined events |
7356688, | Apr 06 1999 | Xerox Corporation | System and method for document distribution |
7359881, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using secure components |
7389270, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works |
7412605, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for variable encryption of data |
7523072, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works |
7555463, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for selectively changing parameter settings based on lineage analysis of digital information |
7603319, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for preserving customer identity in on-line transactions |
7609848, | Dec 29 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Multi-stage watermarking process and system |
7664708, | May 24 2005 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets |
7725401, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for establishing usage rights for digital content to be created in the future |
7743259, | Aug 28 2000 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | System and method for digital rights management using a standard rendering engine |
7765403, | Feb 07 2001 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of rendered digital works through watermarking |
7774279, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Rights offering and granting |
7774280, | Jun 07 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | System and method for managing transfer of rights using shared state variables |
7788182, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method for loaning digital works |
7809644, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Digital work structure |
7831516, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for redistributing and licensing access to protected information among a plurality of devices |
7853531, | Jun 07 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and apparatus for supporting multiple trust zones in a digital rights management system |
7907749, | Dec 29 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Multi-stage watermarking process and system |
7913095, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing a specific user interface in a system for managing content |
7917436, | Jul 07 1995 | AT&T Intellectual Property I, L P | Internet billing method |
7962417, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for distributing protected information |
8001052, | Dec 10 2001 | UNILOC 2017 LLC | System and method for unique digital asset identification and transaction management |
8001053, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | System and method for rights offering and granting using shared state variables |
8069116, | Jan 17 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | System and method for supplying and managing usage rights associated with an item repository |
8078542, | Jun 07 2001 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System and method for managing transfer of rights using shared state variables |
8082355, | May 26 2000 | INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HOLDINGS | Internet multimedia advertisement insertion architecture |
8086532, | Jul 07 1995 | AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Internet billing method |
8099364, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Digital rights management of content when content is a future live event |
8140435, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for processing protected text information |
8170955, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System and method for enforcing usage rights associated with digital content |
8200581, | Dec 10 2001 | UNILOC 2017 LLC | Digital media asset conversion system and method |
8205089, | Jun 03 2005 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | System for controlling the distribution and use of rendered digital works through watermarking |
8225414, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for identifying installed software and regulating access to content |
8271350, | Nov 03 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and system for automatically publishing content |
8275709, | Jun 06 2002 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Digital rights management of content when content is a future live event |
8275716, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and system for subscription digital rights management |
8332328, | Dec 15 1992 | SL Patent Holdings LLC | System and method for redistributing and licensing access to protected information among a plurality of devices |
8412644, | May 31 2001 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for establishing usage rights for digital content to be created in the future |
8442916, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Digital rights management of content when content is a future live event |
8468098, | May 31 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method and system for subscription digital rights management |
8489900, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing a specific user interface in a system for managing content |
8539237, | May 09 1996 | Two-Way Media Ltd | Methods and systems for playing media |
8583556, | Dec 10 2001 | CONTENTGUARD HOLDINGS, INC | Method of providing a digital asset for distribution |
8606684, | Nov 10 2000 | Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc | Digital content distribution and subscription system |
8606856, | Dec 10 2001 | UNILOC 2017 LLC | Digital media asset identification system and method |
8626838, | Dec 10 2001 | UNILOC 2017 LLC | Digital media asset identification system and method |
8676712, | Mar 25 1998 | Digital-Vending Services International, LLC | Computer architecture for managing courseware in a shared use operating environment |
8706636, | Dec 10 2001 | UNILOC 2017 LLC | System and method for unique digital asset identification and transaction management |
8832852, | Aug 28 2000 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for dynamic protection of static and dynamic content |
8862517, | May 31 2001 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Digital rights management of content when content is a future live event |
8869293, | May 31 2001 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and apparatus for hierarchical assignment of rights to documents and documents having such rights |
8892473, | May 31 2001 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and system for subscription digital rights management |
9124607, | May 09 1996 | Two-Way Media Ltd | Methods and systems for playing media |
9143809, | Oct 05 1999 | NIM SAR; RCS IP, LLC | Device associated with a user account |
9397991, | Nov 10 2000 | Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc | Digital content distribution and subscription system |
9886566, | Nov 10 2000 | Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc | Digital content distribution and subscription system |
9953328, | Nov 23 1994 | ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. | Method and system for conducting transactions between repositories |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
4725977, | May 09 1983 | CATRIDGE PROGRAMMING TECHNOLOGY, INC | Cartridge programming system and method using a central and local program library |
4768087, | Oct 07 1983 | NATIONAL INFORMATION AND EDUCATION UTILITIES CORPORATION | Education utility |
4827508, | Oct 14 1985 | ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING RESOURCES, INC | Database usage metering and protection system and method |
4965680, | Jun 30 1987 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Apparatus for releasing a restriction on the recording of an information signal on a recording medium |
4977594, | Oct 14 1986 | ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING RESOURCES, INC | Database usage metering and protection system and method |
5050213, | Oct 14 1986 | Electronic Publishing Resources, Inc. | Database usage metering and protection system and method |
5132992, | Jan 07 1991 | Greenwich Information Technologies, LLC | Audio and video transmission and receiving system |
5214696, | Feb 04 1992 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION A CORP OF NEW YORK | Data processing system and method to produce softcopy book readers which are limited to reading only books published by a specific publisher |
5251294, | Feb 07 1990 | WEBVENTION GROUP LLC | Accessing, assembling, and using bodies of information |
5444779, | Oct 18 1993 | Xerox Corporation | Electronic copyright royalty accounting system using glyphs |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Nov 22 1994 | CHINNOCK, DOUGLAS P | COMPUSERVE, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 007325 | /0867 | |
Nov 30 1994 | STUCKEY, KENT D | COMPUSERVE, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 007325 | /0862 | |
Dec 21 1994 | ROBERTS, JON L | COMPUSERVE, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 007325 | /0862 | |
Dec 23 1994 | CompuServe Incorporated | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Jan 31 1998 | CompuServe Incorporated | AMERICA ONLINE, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 009097 | /0208 | |
Apr 03 2006 | AMERICA ONLINE, INC | AOL LLC | CHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 020540 | /0377 | |
Dec 04 2009 | AOL LLC | AOL Inc | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 023717 | /0566 | |
Dec 09 2009 | GOING, INC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | BEBO, INC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | AOL ADVERTISING INC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | ICQ LLC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | AOL Inc | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | YEDDA, INC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | TRUVEO, INC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | Tacoda LLC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | SPHERE SOURCE, INC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | Quigo Technologies LLC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | Netscape Communications Corporation | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | MAPQUEST, INC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Dec 09 2009 | Lightningcast LLC | BANK OF AMERICAN, N A AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 023649 | /0061 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | YEDDA, INC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | TRUVEO, INC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | Tacoda LLC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | SPHERE SOURCE, INC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | AOL Inc | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | GOING INC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | Lightningcast LLC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | MAPQUEST, INC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | Netscape Communications Corporation | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | Quigo Technologies LLC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Sep 30 2010 | BANK OF AMERICA, N A | AOL ADVERTISING INC | TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS | 025323 | /0416 | |
Jun 14 2012 | AOL Inc | Facebook, Inc | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 028487 | /0602 | |
Oct 28 2021 | Facebook, Inc | Meta Platforms, Inc | CHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 058961 | /0436 |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Jan 16 2001 | M183: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
Aug 12 2004 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
Jul 15 2008 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
Mar 24 2010 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
Mar 24 2010 | RMPN: Payer Number De-assigned. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Jul 15 2000 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Jan 15 2001 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jul 15 2001 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Jul 15 2003 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Jul 15 2004 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Jan 15 2005 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jul 15 2005 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Jul 15 2007 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Jul 15 2008 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Jan 15 2009 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jul 15 2009 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Jul 15 2011 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |